Expert

What the Expert Says:

Absolutely! As parents we need to be very aware of what our children are doing on their computers, cell phones, and ipods. This type of technology is here to stay, so as parents we need to learn all we can about them to protect the safety of our children. Two of the best things you can do are:

1. Have open and honest discussions with your kids about internet safety, and your expectations for how they should behave online.

2. Install internet protection software on all of their computers and mobile devices! Then you can monitor their usage to make sure they are staying safe online. Any computers that they use at school will already have this protection installed, but you need to make sure they are equally safe on their home computer, cell phone, and ipod!

Attached is an article I wrote on my "Top Ten Ways To Keep Your Kids Safe Online." Hope it helps you to get started with this all important task.

I had first typed a long explanation with information, but deleted it because it was a long, article form answer that I feared would just become boring to read (this should be a given).

I've posted sites that will provide information to educate yourself and your children about technology safety. Involve your children, discuss these issues, set guidelines and turn off services that they really don't need.

Just as we teach our children their phone number, address, don't talk to strangers, don't wonder off-stay with the group, don't accept candy, etc from unknown sources, don't provide personal information over the telephone, don't answer doors to strangers, don't get in a car with someone else, don't play in the road, we must teach them technology safety. It is our responsibility!!!

Facebook, Myspace, Chat rooms or any other form of social pages should not be used by a minor.

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